2023 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
22
Ranked Colleges
2,950
Degrees Awarded
$13,300
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
General Mechanical Engineering is the 14th most popular major in the country with 46,178 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Plains States region, there were 2,950 general mechanical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 22 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general mechanical engineering. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general mechanical engineering programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general mechanical engineering program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for General Mechanical Engineering (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 156 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, WUSTL has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WUSTL is $2,446 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Washington University in St Louis General Mechanical Engineering Report
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 285 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $8,609 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities General Mechanical Engineering Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Rolla, Missouri, this medium-sized public school handed out 272 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri University of Science and Technology, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology is $9,820 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa State University is a large public school situated in Ames, Iowa. It awarded 451 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State University is $11,427 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 121 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Duluth also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Duluth is $8,697 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UMN Duluth
University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 168 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
Mizzou also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,386 for Plains States Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - Columbia.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Missouri - Columbia General Mechanical Engineering Report
North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school awarded 170 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
North Dakota State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University - Main Campus is $12,735 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at North Dakota State University
University of North Dakota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 112 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, UND has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UND is $13,151 for Plains States Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of North Dakota General Mechanical Engineering Report
University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a large school located in Lincoln, Nebraska that handed out 151 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UNL not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $13,453 for Plains States Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at UNL
University of Iowa ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Iowa General Mechanical Engineering Report
University of Missouri - St Louis came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
UMSL also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $8,324 for Plains States Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Missouri - St Louis.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at UMSL
Kansas State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. K -State is a public institution located in Manhattan, Kansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 182 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
K -State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $14,653 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Kansas State University
With a ranking of #13, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 140 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
KU also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend KU is $16,288 for Plains States Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at University of Kansas
University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UMKC is a fairly large public school situated in Kansas City, Missouri. It awarded 79 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
UMKC also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $13,751 for Plains States Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UMKC General Mechanical Engineering Report
Wichita State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. WSU is located in Wichita, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees to qualified students.
WSU also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,272 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wichita State University.
Full Wichita State University General Mechanical Engineering Report
With a ranking of #16, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 36 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, St. Cloud State University has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Cloud State University is $10,825 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Saint Cloud State University
South Dakota State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 80 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at South Dakota State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,846 for Plains States Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Dakota State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full South Dakota State University General Mechanical Engineering Report
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology did quite well in the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a small public school situated in Rapid City, South Dakota. It awarded 64 ’s general mechanical engineering degrees in 2020-2021.
SD Mines also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $16,736 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at SD Mines
Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 31 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato also took the #21 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Minnesota State University - Mankato is $12,263 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at Minnesota State University - Mankato
Saint Louis University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Saint Louis, Missouri, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 22 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SLU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,755 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Louis University.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full SLU General Mechanical Engineering Report
University of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 105 diplomas to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, UST MN has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Thomas Minnesota is $27,782 for Plains States Region General Mechanical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on General Mechanical Engineering at University of St Thomas Minnesota
With a ranking of #22, Dordt University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s general mechanical engineering students in 2020-2021.
Dordt also made our “Best General Mechanical Engineering Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $20,101 for plains states region general mechanical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Dordt University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about General Mechanical Engineering at Dordt
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Notes and References
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
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